Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced the resumption of additional business operations, including outdoor seating at restaurants and bars, hair salons and barber shops and some additional health services.

“I believe these steps forward will be welcome news for many and because Vermonters are being smart to stay safe, our data continues to show we’re still moving in the right direction,” said Governor Scott. “As more Vermonters get back to work and there are more places to visit and meet with others, it is more important than ever to stay vigilant about your health and the health of others.”

Effective today, May 22, restaurants and bars may reopen for limited outdoor seating, including for the sale and consumption of alcohol. In addition to existing health and safety requirements for all businesses, outlined by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), reservations or call ahead seating is required with strict limits on table distance and occupancy. Additional safety measures are strongly encouraged, including phone or electronic ordering, takeout service rather than table side delivery of food and cashless or touchless transactions. Operators must also maintain a log of customers and their contact information for 30 days in the event contact tracing is required by the Vermont Department of Health. Establishments serving alcohol will need to file a notice with the Department of Liquor and Lottery prior to reopening for outdoor service.

Effective May 29, hair salons and barber shops may reopen by appointment with limits on occupancy. Again, in addition to existing health and safety requirements for all businesses,ACCD has issued safety measures for hair salons and barbershops, including strict distance between customers, cashless or touchless transactions and curbside pickup for retail sales. As with other businesses, salons and barbershops must maintain a customer log in case contact tracing is required. To view the ACCD’s specific safety guidelines and protocolsfor all newly opened operations businesses, as well as additional resources, visitaccd.vermont.gov.

Members of only 2 households and 10 total people may be seated at the same table.

Operators must limit the total number of customers served/seated at one time to 50 or their maximum licensed seating capacity, whichever is less.

Disposable menus are required.

Disposable/single use condiment packets are encouraged. Multi-use condiments and all other items for general use must be cleaned and sanitized between customers.

Operators must maintain an easily accessible log of customers and their contact information for 30 days in the event contact tracing is required by the Health Department.

Bars, breweries, distilleries, wineries, cideries and tasting rooms may offer outdoor beverage service in compliance with this outdoor dining guidance, and the temporary outdoor consumption notification and permit stipulations established by the Department of Liquor and Lottery.

7.2 Religious facilities & places of worship (Effective May 23)

Religious facilities and places of worship may resume operations subject to the mandatory health and safety guidance above, and:

I attended the hearing on S.169 – a Senate bill proposing 24 hour waiting periods for handguns. Several folks have asked how I plan to vote on the bill which yet to emerge from House Judiciary. If a bill comes out of House Judiciary, I will carefully consider what is proposed. Thank you to all who took the time to come and testify.